Weird Campaign Idea of the Week (Redux)
Well, I lost my last, well-thought out post, so I'll cut to the chase. I've been toying with an occassional column where I take two books and make a campaign starter that I post up here on the ol' blog. To start it up, we'll start with the two most releases in the Spycraft and Shadowforce Archer lines - the 1960's Decade Book and The Shop.
Campaign Seed: The Wolf Brigade
I'd like to start this seed by saying if you've never seen Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade before, you should. Directed by one of anime's great masters, K. Oshii (director of Ghost in the Shell and the Patlabor series), this tale of Japan in an alternate history is lyrical, political, violent and grim, all at the same time. The story is set between 1955 and 1965 in an occupied Japan, which is rife with social and political upheaval - like the Japan of our world, actually, though instead of an American occupation, we have a German one. An armed resistance stands against the government sponsored by the occupation, and the streets are awash of citizens of both sides. An elite unit, the Wolf Brigade - fearsome soldiers clad in menacing heavy armor and wielding machine guns, has been formed to strike back at the rebels, without mercy or failure. But now, dissent with the government's policies and disillusionment with the state of the nation is starting to seep even into the most loyal of soldiers. Who's side is everyone on, and how can these men fight for the government while still saving the soul of their proud nation?
Jin-Roh is an excellent template for playing to the strengths of each of our chosen books - the various rules for espionage climates, the detailed history and technology level of the 1960's combines well with the NPC classes, plate armor rules and general attitude of The Shop. The environment of this alternate Japan is also wide open - players could have allegiances to the Occupational Government or the Resistance, and could engage in a military campaign to crush the rebels, politic in a divided rulership, or fight the power of the Wolf Brigade, from the inside and out. The other great thing about this setting is you have a wide open political landscape - no longer are you limited by the Soviets or Americans, just your ideals and own will to fight.
To get you started, I've built sample minions for your amusement. I'm going to try to build these guys only out of the books used in this little exercise - unfortunately, I had to toss in some Soldier/Wheelman Class Guide love for the Wolf Brigade's awesome abilities with their armor and monster use of their machine guns. So without further ado:
Wolf Brigade Commandos (78 MP)[Cost is from 2 levels of contract killer (6 MP) + 8 levels of bird of prey (32 MP) + d8 vitality (15 MP) + 20 points in ability score adjustments (16 MP) + 3 feats (9 MP)]
2nd level contract killer*/8th level bird of prey**; CR 9; SZ M; v/wp: 78/16; Init +9 (+8 class, +1 Dex); Spd 30 ft.; Def 16 (+2 armor, +3 class, +1 Dex); Atk +11/12 Rheinmetall MG3 (4d4+4/+5, threat 19-20, error 1-3), +11/12 Walther PPK (2d4/+1), +13 brass knuckles (1d3+4 subdual); Face 1 square; Reach 1 square; SA None; SQ Hardsuit Mastery (retain class bonus to Defense), Heavily Armed (+10), Killer, Plate Armor, Weapon Specialization (machine guns); SV Fort +10, Ref +5, Will +3; Str 16, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 8; Skills: Balance +8, Bluff +0, Climb +6, Demoltions +5, Disguise +0, Hide +2, Intimidate +7/3, Jump +10, Knowledge (Target Character) +1, Move Silently +2, Sleight of Hand +1, Spot +10, Tumble +4; Feats: Armor Focus (Full Plate)***, Machine Gun Basics***, Machine Gun Mastery***, Point Blank Shot, Speed Trigger; Gear: Weapons, 600 rounds 7.62 ammunition, 50 rounds pistol ammunition, enhancements to armor (71 BP total); Gadgets: Full plate** armor (DR 10/-, opponents may not activate threats with weapons that do not have the AP or AD quality) with ammo drum module (800 round capacity for MG3), extended life support, standard gear (infrared goggles) (no cost due to Plate Armor class ability).
* - 1960’s Decade Book
** - The Shop Threat Book
*** - Soldier/Wheelman Class Guide
LMK if you're diggin' it.
Well, I lost my last, well-thought out post, so I'll cut to the chase. I've been toying with an occassional column where I take two books and make a campaign starter that I post up here on the ol' blog. To start it up, we'll start with the two most releases in the Spycraft and Shadowforce Archer lines - the 1960's Decade Book and The Shop.
Campaign Seed: The Wolf Brigade
I'd like to start this seed by saying if you've never seen Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade before, you should. Directed by one of anime's great masters, K. Oshii (director of Ghost in the Shell and the Patlabor series), this tale of Japan in an alternate history is lyrical, political, violent and grim, all at the same time. The story is set between 1955 and 1965 in an occupied Japan, which is rife with social and political upheaval - like the Japan of our world, actually, though instead of an American occupation, we have a German one. An armed resistance stands against the government sponsored by the occupation, and the streets are awash of citizens of both sides. An elite unit, the Wolf Brigade - fearsome soldiers clad in menacing heavy armor and wielding machine guns, has been formed to strike back at the rebels, without mercy or failure. But now, dissent with the government's policies and disillusionment with the state of the nation is starting to seep even into the most loyal of soldiers. Who's side is everyone on, and how can these men fight for the government while still saving the soul of their proud nation?
Jin-Roh is an excellent template for playing to the strengths of each of our chosen books - the various rules for espionage climates, the detailed history and technology level of the 1960's combines well with the NPC classes, plate armor rules and general attitude of The Shop. The environment of this alternate Japan is also wide open - players could have allegiances to the Occupational Government or the Resistance, and could engage in a military campaign to crush the rebels, politic in a divided rulership, or fight the power of the Wolf Brigade, from the inside and out. The other great thing about this setting is you have a wide open political landscape - no longer are you limited by the Soviets or Americans, just your ideals and own will to fight.
To get you started, I've built sample minions for your amusement. I'm going to try to build these guys only out of the books used in this little exercise - unfortunately, I had to toss in some Soldier/Wheelman Class Guide love for the Wolf Brigade's awesome abilities with their armor and monster use of their machine guns. So without further ado:
Wolf Brigade Commandos (78 MP)[Cost is from 2 levels of contract killer (6 MP) + 8 levels of bird of prey (32 MP) + d8 vitality (15 MP) + 20 points in ability score adjustments (16 MP) + 3 feats (9 MP)]
2nd level contract killer*/8th level bird of prey**; CR 9; SZ M; v/wp: 78/16; Init +9 (+8 class, +1 Dex); Spd 30 ft.; Def 16 (+2 armor, +3 class, +1 Dex); Atk +11/12 Rheinmetall MG3 (4d4+4/+5, threat 19-20, error 1-3), +11/12 Walther PPK (2d4/+1), +13 brass knuckles (1d3+4 subdual); Face 1 square; Reach 1 square; SA None; SQ Hardsuit Mastery (retain class bonus to Defense), Heavily Armed (+10), Killer, Plate Armor, Weapon Specialization (machine guns); SV Fort +10, Ref +5, Will +3; Str 16, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 8; Skills: Balance +8, Bluff +0, Climb +6, Demoltions +5, Disguise +0, Hide +2, Intimidate +7/3, Jump +10, Knowledge (Target Character) +1, Move Silently +2, Sleight of Hand +1, Spot +10, Tumble +4; Feats: Armor Focus (Full Plate)***, Machine Gun Basics***, Machine Gun Mastery***, Point Blank Shot, Speed Trigger; Gear: Weapons, 600 rounds 7.62 ammunition, 50 rounds pistol ammunition, enhancements to armor (71 BP total); Gadgets: Full plate** armor (DR 10/-, opponents may not activate threats with weapons that do not have the AP or AD quality) with ammo drum module (800 round capacity for MG3), extended life support, standard gear (infrared goggles) (no cost due to Plate Armor class ability).
* - 1960’s Decade Book
** - The Shop Threat Book
*** - Soldier/Wheelman Class Guide
LMK if you're diggin' it.
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